Exodus 1–2

Baby Moses

Protecting the future leader of the Israelites

Jacob’s family became a great people in Egypt. They were called Israelites. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was scared that one day there would be too many Israelites and that they would take over Egypt, so he made the Israelites his slaves.

Exodus 1:7–14

Pharaoh then commanded that all the newborn Israelite baby boys should be killed. The Israelite families were very afraid.

Exodus 1:15–22

An Israelite mother named Jochebed thought of a way to save her newborn son. She put her baby in a basket and hid the basket in the tall grass by the Nile River. The baby’s sister Miriam watched over him to keep him safe.

Exodus 2:1–4

While bathing in the river, Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the basket. She saw the helpless Israelite baby crying and wanted to raise him as her own child. Miriam came to Pharaoh’s daughter and asked if she could bring an Israelite woman to care for the baby.

Exodus 2:5–6

Miriam brought her mother, Jochebed, to Pharaoh’s daughter. Pharaoh’s daughter agreed to pay Jochebed to care for the baby.

Exodus 2:8–9

The Israelite baby grew. Pharaoh’s daughter raised him as her own son. She named him Moses.

Exodus 2:10